Into Day 4 now.

[nsd_user663_1657]

Immediately prior.

After numerous past attempts to give up I was left with an assortment of patches as anti-smoking aids. I realise though that I was never really that committed to the thought of not smoking for the rest of my life before.

Its different now. I am an angina sufferer after 3 heart attacks and 5 way cardiac artery bypass surgery several years ago. You would think that would be enough to get me to stop. But no. Started again after that episode. Thing is, I now cannot do anything but cough my lungs up whenever I go out of the house. Fresh air causes me tremendous discomfort as I breath it in until I get acclimatised after nearly an hour of constant coughing. The same occurs when I re-enter the smoke filled atmosphere of my home and another hour's acclimatisation. I know its killing me. My angina is worse than ever. I fear that its not going to be long before I have another coronary.

Made a decision. Not going to mess about. Just going to stop smoking. No fuss this time. No messing about with aids and helpers. Just stop. Make no big thing about it. Dont make it into something its not. I know I'll have nagging need to smoke for the first few days...on and off....and that I'll be susceptible for a long time. I also know that all I need do is just not give in to those feelings. I've been there and know the feelings. Stopping now.

Day 4 - Into my 4th day being smoke free.

First time I have decided to record anything. I feel that, for me, I have found the answer. It feels very different to other times I tried to stop. I suppose its because this time, deep inside, I mean it and the other times I didnt really.

Its not been too hard. Been sleeping a lot but feel fresher and much more active and its been 3 days since any sort of coughing fit that I had every day when smoking. I just need to recall that I never felt this way when smoking. Its different this time. Its not the sure knowledge that smoking will kill me sooner rather than later. Death doesnt phase me. Been close to it too often in the past for that. Its the new approach. Not making it any bigger than it needs to be. Its a drag, those longings, but hey.....its no more than that. I'm not walking around with that hook in my mouth again. Don't you either.

[nsd_user663_1606]

Well Done

Well my hat go's off to you Ron......you must be so proud.

Your right not to make this smoking thing bigger than it is......as it controls so many of our lives and in reality just causes misery. I have always maintained that what we are doing when giving up the fags is using our "choice" to make the right and proper decission, which is actually a priviledge, as many people do not have that priviledge and in essence eventually we as smokers will more than likey forego that choice.

Anyone reading your thread and not totally addicted to smoking would say that you and anyone else in that condition only has there self to blame and lets be truthful they would be right! I've watched two very close relatives (both heavy smokers) pass away due to the big "C" and beleive me at times towards the end (as you begin to taste the morphine in the air) you pray that a coronary would occur. But even after all that I still remained untill 3 weeks ago a smoker!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How stupid eh? or is it addicted? Whatever it is, I like you do not fear the end result but what I do fear is the problems and costs incurred by my family and friends on the way to my self destruction (after all it may be slow but the end result rarely changes).

Whatever it is I refuse to allow my life to be ruled by the fags any longer and hope that I am strong enough to get through it, but hey even if I dont this time I will never stop trying to give up so may as well be now! Good luck and hope you will keep the site updated with progress.

[nsd_user663_1655]

I'm with you Ron! Day four and counting

Day four, according to everything i've read, is a pinch better than day three. I like hearing that. Good luck today Ron, we can do it! I'll see you on day 5

Viking

[nsd_user663_1639]

Day 4

You're both definitely over the big hump of this mountain. Once you've cleared days 1,2 and 3 I reckon its plain sailing from now in.

Best of luck to both of you. See you on Day 5 both tomorrow.